News for WVU Potomac State College

Catamounts Climb Higher award recipients are recognized for their ability to bounce back despite encountering obstacles, for overcoming challenges, and for staying the course – and May’s recipient, Debra Wood, has faced and overcome many challenges.

“As a first-generation college student at the age of 61, my journey has been filled with numerous challenges and triumphs. My majors in mental health and addictions studies, and pre-social work have provided me with the knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. My volunteer work has been a cornerstone of my personal and professional growth. I have had the privilege of volunteering at Loving Hands Outreach Ministry, HopeFest, and collaborating with other organizations in the community to raise awareness about mental health and addiction,” Wood said.

The Betty T. Livengood Teacher Education Scholarship at West Virginia University Potomac State College was initiated and established in 1993 by friends and colleagues wishing to acknowledge her lifelong commitment to education and her love of teaching.

This historic scholarship has now been formally recognized by the WVU Foundation as an established scholarship, supported by the Livengood family’s commitment to ensure it continues in perpetuity.

West Virginia University Potomac State College (PSC) recently awarded scholarships to numerous Keyser High School students as they embark upon continuing their education at PSC. Dr. Megan Webb, who serves as the Director of Development at the College, presented students with the following two scholarships .

The Dulin Memorial Scholarship, made possible by George K. Oss and his wife Joann, in memory of George’s beloved grandmother, Cora A. Dulin, was presented to Keyser High School (KHS) student, Malachi Green, in recognition of his achievements, leadership, and dedication.

WVU Potomac State College is out for summer, but the campus is still busy with camps, community events and upgrades. For this month op-ed, I asked PSC Athletic Director to highlight the amazing season our PSC softball team and coaches had this year. 

The WVU Potomac State Softball team is no stranger to success and 2025 was certainly a season to remember. Potomac State has now won nine Region 20 Championships since 2015, with eight trips to the NJCAA Softball World Series. This year under first year Head Coach, Chris Greise, the Catamounts also saw PSC records broken in several categories. Their 39-6 season becomes the 3rd top season in school history. Their team batting average of .445 becomes the highest in program history and the “bomb squad” also crushed the former standing records of 507 hits and 89 homeruns by recording an impressive 528 hits and 107 homeruns. The team also had a .521 on base percentage and a .829 slugging percentage.  They finished the 2025 season ranked 1st in the NJCAA in Division II softball for batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. 

Every spring, students, faculty, staff, and alumni at West Virginia University Potomac State College are recognized by their peers, professors, and alumni. The College recently recognized former Professor Fred Jacoby with the inscription of his name on the Duke Anthony Whitmore/Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Academic Achievement Wall.   

During West Virginia University Potomac State College’s annual Recognition Day Awards Ceremony, Hartley VanGilder was named Outstanding Student of the Year for 2025, earning her the distinction of serving as the student speaker during this year’s Commencement Ceremony. VanGilder will also have her name inscribed on the Duke Anthony Whitmore Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Academic Achievement Wall.

West Virginia University Potomac State College President Jerry Wallace is pleased to announce the students who earned a place on the Spring 2025 President’s list. To be eligible for the President’s List, a student must be enrolled in at least 12-credit hours of graded courses, excluding courses in which any grade of Audit, Pass or Incomplete is recorded, and must earn a grade-point average of 3.700 or higher for the semester. A student is not eligible if the grade recorded for a course is: D, F, I (Incomplete), NR (Not Recorded), P (Pass), S (Satisfactory), or Audit. 

WVU Potomac State College Dean of Academic Affairs Phillip Douthitt is pleased to announce the students who earned a place on the Spring 2025 Dean’s List. To be eligible for the Dean’s List, a student must be enrolled for at least 12-credit hours of graded courses, excluding courses in which any grade of Audit, Pass or Incomplete is recorded, and must maintain a grade-point average of 3.000 to 3.699 for the semester. A student is not eligible if the grade recorded for a course is: D, F, I (Incomplete), NR (Not Recorded), P (Pass), S (Satisfactory), or Audit.

Every spring, students, faculty, staff, and alumni at West Virginia University Potomac State College are recognized by their peers, professors, and alumni. The 2025 Recognition Day Awards ceremony recently honored the following:

Hartley VanGilder named Outstanding Student of the Year